Tips for Creating a Filing System and Eliminating Clutter for 2009

The year is quickly coming to an end, and you find yourself surrounded by piles of paper everywhere. Does this sound familiar? Why not start the new year with a brand new filing system that is cost efficient, will eliminate clutter, help you to organize important documents and help you find what you are looking for, in an instant.   Some of the best practices that I have personally found to be helpful are listed here. Purchase a laminated accordion filing folder with 26 sections (typically, they come with alphabetic sections A-Z and in various colors). Purchasing a laminated folder will last longer, and you will be able to adjust the labels easily by peeling them off with out damage to the folder itself. You may find that you need to insert a new section or category. This accordion folder will be your 'active' filing folder for the year. The folder takes up a minimal amount of space underneath your desk (it is expandable) and it will help you find what you need, instantly. You can start by sorting the paperwork that you currently have into piles (ex. phone bills, auto insurance payments, mortgage payments, credit card payments, insurance, automobile, telephone, bank statements, cable bills, etc.) and label each section, in alphabetic order according to each pile. Many times, I find myself too busy to file, so I tuck a basket underneath my desk for things that need to be filed. Once a week, usually on Saturday mornings, after I have my cup of coffee, I will do my filing. This typically takes me less than five minutes. Remember to always file the most recent papers towards the back of each section. It is important to keep up with the filing, atleast once a week, so that it doesn't become overwhelming. Follow this system until the first week of January or so. Usually the first week of January, I empty out the accordion folder and revamp each section, one at a time. While I revamp, I staple documents with multiple pages. I also remove the credit card advertisements and courtesy checks towards the back of the bills (all of this paperwork is not needed and it creates a bulky filing situation).  I then take each section, put a rubberband around it and archive it (alphabetically) in a large plastic storage container in the basement. I use a large plastic storage container to guard against basement flooding or potential dampness. Note: I am also in the habit of opening my mail as often as I can, and eliminating junk mail immediately. If you put junk mail aside to be reviewed at a later day/time, it will easily multiply. I also recommend keeping important documents such as insurance policies, passports, birth/death certificates in a fire safety box, or even in a safety box at your bank.   I hope these tips will help you get more organized, eliminate clutter and help you to create a filing/archiving system, so that you can focus your time on more important tasks. This system works for me, and I am happy to say that I never get overwhelmed with paperwork.